Modern workforces depend on phones, tablets, and laptops to stay productive. Without an organized plan for mobile device management, keeping those devices secure and up to date quickly turns into a full‑time job. For small and midsize companies, manually configuring and tracking every endpoint isn’t just a nuisance—it invites security gaps and expensive mistakes.

Cisco’s Meraki Systems Manager (SM) tackles these challenges by bundling enrollment, updates, and support into a per‑device subscription license. Instead of juggling multiple contracts or wondering whether every device is covered, you license each endpoint and let the cloud handle the rest. 

In this guide, we explain how Meraki MDM pricing works, compare license tiers and terms, and help you choose the right path for your business.

Understanding The Meraki MDM Licensing Model

Meraki Systems Manager is licensed per device. Each phone, tablet, laptop, or Apple TV you enroll needs its own license, which grants access to the Meraki dashboard, over‑the‑air updates, and support. The old free tier that allowed unlimited managed devices was retired in 2024. Today, you license every endpoint, whether it’s running iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS, and the license follows the device rather than the user.

Flexible License Subscription Terms

Term lengths range from one to ten years. Shorter terms cost more per year but give flexibility for pilots or organizations that refresh hardware frequently. A one‑year subscription license like LIC‑SME‑1YR keeps commitments low, while three‑year options balance flexibility and savings, and longer commitments deliver the lowest per‑year cost for predictable fleets.

The Simplicity Of Co‑Termination

With co‑termination, all licenses renew on a single date, and the renewal date adjusts automatically when new devices are added. Renewing once keeps the entire fleet compliant and simplifies budgeting.

Per‑device licensing assigns each device its own expiry, so you can renew individually or transfer licenses between organizations. Month‑to‑month subscriptions provide pay‑as‑you‑go terms for seasonal or project‑based deployments.

Comparing The Meraki MDM License Tiers

Before 2024, Meraki offered a free Systems Manager tier. Those legacy licenses allowed unlimited devices but lacked many security and automation features. They also didn’t include dedicated phone support, leaving admins to rely on community forums when issues arose. Cisco retired this tier and stopped issuing free licenses; if you still have one, it will continue to work, but new features are locked behind paid licenses.

The paid Enterprise tier is now the standard for new customers. It includes the full feature set: automated device enrollment, remote lock and wipe, dynamic policies, network access control, and 24/7 support by phone or email. Once you upgrade from a legacy license to an Enterprise license, you can’t downgrade again. 

Legacy licenses are frozen in time: they don’t receive new features or improvements. Enterprise licenses, on the other hand, continually receive new tools and policies. For small and midsize businesses in industries like professional services, retail, or manufacturing, the sweet spot for Meraki—the paid tier is the only way to meet security and compliance obligations without building an MDM from scratch.

Key Factors That Determine Your Meraki MDM Price

If you’re budgeting for Meraki SM, you’ll notice a simple formula: multiply the number of devices by the cost per license and adjust for the term length. There are no hidden support contracts or surprise fees. The main variables that move the needle are how many endpoints you’re managing, how long you’re committing, what level of support and features you require, the mix of device types, and how you choose to renew.

Number Of Devices

Each device requires its own license, so a larger fleet means a higher total cost. All platforms—smartphones, tablets, laptops, and on‑site appliances—count equally. Volume purchases may qualify for better pricing, so ask your partner about discounts for large orders.

License Term Length

Shorter terms cost more per year but give you flexibility to change direction, whereas three‑ and five‑year licenses lower the annual cost and suit stable fleets. Month‑to‑month licenses let organizations scale up and down with seasonal staff or short projects without locking into long commitments.

Support Level

Paid licenses include round‑the‑clock technical support and all firmware or feature updates with no separate maintenance contract. Free licenses lack phone support and advanced features, so organizations needing quick answers and security compliance should plan on the paid tier.

Device Type Mix

Licensing is platform‑agnostic: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS devices are managed under the same per‑device cost. Administrators can monitor Wi‑Fi connections, network access, hardware vitals, and data roaming status from a single dashboard, and features like kiosk mode or selective wipe can be applied across the fleet.

Renewal Strategy

Most customers choose co‑term renewals for simplicity, but organizations that add and retire devices regularly may prefer per‑device licensing to renew individual endpoints or transfer licenses without affecting the fleet. Monthly subscription licenses avoid long commitments and can be canceled whenever a project ends, providing maximum flexibility for short‑term deployments.

What’s Included With Your Meraki License

When you purchase a Meraki SM license, you’re not just buying permission to log into a dashboard. Every paid license bundles together hardware coverage, software updates, and support into one predictable fee. There’s no separate contract for support or upgrades; everything is baked in. This all‑inclusive model helps small and midsize IT teams avoid surprises and simplifies budgeting year after year.

• 24/7 support: Access Meraki engineers by phone, email, or chat any time of day. The support team helps you troubleshoot mobile devices, access points, and on‑site appliances.

• Future software updates: New features, API enhancements, and dashboard improvements arrive automatically. Updates include new ways to enforce security policies, manage internet connectivity, and monitor network access.

• Firmware patches and security management: Keep devices patched against emerging threats without manual intervention and maintain a strong security posture.

• Cloud dashboard access: Manage enrollment, policies, apps, network settings, and hardware vitals from anywhere with an internet connection. You can locate devices, check specs, report network access, monitor user activity and device Wi‑Fi connection status, and deliver content or updates remotely.

• Unlimited admin accounts: Grant as many users as you need without extra fees, so your organization can delegate tasks across the team.

• Hardware warranty: If Meraki hardware fails during the term, it’s replaced under warranty. For Meraki products like access points and security appliances, the warranty ensures hardware vitals are always covered.

Sample Meraki MDM Pricing

Pricing varies by partner and region, but the pattern is consistent: longer terms and larger deployments reduce the annual cost per device. Let’s look at a few representative examples to understand how your budget might look. These figures use U.S. dollars and reflect typical retail pricing; partner discounts can bring them down further.

These examples show how scale and commitment change your cost. A ten‑year license for a long‑lived device like a point‑of‑sale terminal may drive the per‑year price even lower. Always ask your partner for a custom quote based on your exact device count and term to capture volume discounts.

The ROI Of Centralized Mobility Management

At first glance, license costs may feel high. However, the return on investment becomes clear when compared to the risks and inefficiencies of unmanaged devices.

Reduce IT Overhead And Manual Tasks

Automating enrollment and configuration saves hours per device. Centralized policies cut support calls by enabling remote desktop, app installation, and software deployment. Instead of IT walking employees through fixes, issues are resolved directly from the dashboard.

Improve Overall Business Productivity

Locking devices into single-app mode keeps kiosks and Apple TVs focused on their task. Content delivery and updates are pushed remotely, ensuring staff always work with the latest apps and security patches. Fewer interruptions mean better productivity.

Mitigate Security Risks With Secure Network Access Control

Security policies like enforced passcodes, encryption, and device posture checks are applied automatically. Lost or stolen devices can be locked or wiped instantly. Geofencing and NAC integration restrict access based on location or compliance status, reducing the chance of breaches.

Why Partner With Hummingbird Networks For Meraki Licensing

Buying licenses directly is possible, but working with a certified partner like Hummingbird Networks offers clear advantages. Our team is versed in Meraki’s licensing model, promotions, and renewal strategies. Pre-sales engineers validate requirements, recommend the right mix of terms, and ensure compliance with corporate policies.

Post-sale, Hummingbird supports deployment, monitors renewals, and helps scale management as organizations grow. Pricing is often better through a partner, and the white-glove support ensures IT teams spend less time chasing details and more time focusing on the business.

Make The Right Investment In Device Management

Managing a mobile workforce is no longer optional. Phones, tablets, and laptops handle customer data, payments, and remote connectivity, and without a proper mobility management platform, they become liabilities. Meraki Systems Manager Enterprise delivers a predictable licensing model with bundled support, updates, and specs reporting so IT teams can focus on operations, not chasing licenses.

The right approach balances cost and flexibility. Longer terms cut annual spend, while shorter or subscription licenses keep organizations agile. With expert guidance on licenses and integration, the modest per-device fee quickly outweighs the risk of breaches, downtime, or manual overhead — making Meraki Systems Manager the smart choice for a cloud-driven world.

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